I have written a lot about this year, 2024, so I won’t bore you with the details again! Suffice to say, it wasn’t the best of years, but it was one that filled me with immense gratitude. As the year draws to a close, I encourage you to take a moment to look around at the people in your life who have given of themselves to you this year. Be grateful for them, because what would life be without the people who love and support us?

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the excitement of children awaiting Santa Claus and parents rushing to finalise shopping and prepare festive meals. Yet, for many, this time of year can be a stark reminder of what they don’t have—financial struggles, or the absence of family, can make the season a difficult one.

Building a life is a lot like constructing a house, brick by brick. Each decision, each challenge, each triumph, is like laying a brick in the foundation of who we are and who we’re becoming. Just like a house, we start with a vision of what we want our life to look like. We lay down solid intentions and goals, pouring a foundation to support the journey ahead.

My life has been a journey filled with twists, challenges, and reinventions. Over my 63 years, I’ve gone from policing to moving across the world, from business to an unexpected diagnosis of MS, and finally to a career in Para Sport. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: it’s never too late to start something new.

There’s something powerful about letting go. It’s not always easy—especially when you’re deeply invested, when you’ve given everything to a journey and built a life around it. But sometimes, letting go is the key to moving forward into something even greater.

We’ve all faced moments when others doubt us, questioning our ability to achieve what we know in our hearts is possible. I remember vividly when I first took up rowing, driven by a newfound passion and a dream to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. After winning my first national competition in the Double Sculls, I felt ready to take it to the next level, so I reached out to Rowing Australia about classification and joining the national team.

Every day, we’re presented with countless opportunities to shape our lives, and it all begins with a simple, yet profound, concept: choice. Your choices—big and small—hold the power to design the life you desire.

In a world that often feels fast-paced and demanding, kindness is one of the simplest, yet most powerful, gifts we can offer—not just to others but to ourselves. We’re often quick to lend a helping hand, share an encouraging word, or show empathy toward someone in need. But what about the way we speak to ourselves?

Life often feels like a race—moving from one goal to the next, always looking ahead, chasing the next big achievement or milestone. But in all that movement, I sometimes forget the most valuable thing I have: this very moment.

Have you ever noticed how we as human beings are hardwired to look for the negatives in life?

We all experience moments where we question if we’re doing enough, if we have enough, or if we are enough. We measure ourselves against society's yardsticks, whether in our careers, relationships, or personal goals. It’s natural to strive for more, but it’s equally important to recognise that we are enough, just as we are, in this very moment.

How many times have we been told that when one door closes, another will open? I’ve heard it more times than I can count. But I don’t fully agree with that sentiment. Yes, there will be other doors, but they don’t just magically open on their own. You have to take action—you have to seek them out, open them, and have the courage to step through.